The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has the important role of protecting national security by monitoring the more than one million international students and their dependents in the United States.

SEVP manages the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which is a tool that contains information about international students and the schools that enroll them.

SEVIS information is used by SEVP’s government and law enforcement partners, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the U.S. Department of State. Each of these agencies plays an important role in the international student life cycle.

• The U.S. Department of State issues visas for travel to the United States, including student visas.
• CBP admits international students to the United States at U.S. ports of entry.  
• USCIS authorizes changes of status, training opportunities and some employment benefits for international students.

For more information about how SEVP’s government partners support the program, visit the International Student Life Cycle page.